NEW ON NAXOS | SEPTEMBER 2025
WORLD PREMIERE RECORDINGS
Wilhelm TAUBERT (1811–1891) Romantic Piano, Vol. 2 Piano Sonatas No. 1 • No. 2 ‘Grande Sonate’ • No. 4 • No. 6 Lucas Wong, Piano
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Wilhelm Taubert was a significant composer and teacher in Berlin during a period when the city began to rival Vienna and Paris as a European musical powerhouse. Though it was also a time when the piano had reached its zenith in size and tonal depth, Taubert’s graceful, conservative style was perfectly suited to the instrument. His sonatas fuse Beethovenian elements with those of Weber, and feature slow movements that draw on rich operatic lyricism reminiscent of Rossini or Cherubini. Key features: Fanfare wrote of Lucas Wong that ‘His playing is both brilliant and sensitive, and his tone is like a pearl necklace… Wong builds up a tremendous head of steam, and he does it without ever raising his voice, so to speak. Even in the smaller works, though, he makes a big impression.’ Gramophone praised his ‘gifts for colour, nuance, and tasteful dynamic contrasts’.
8.574585 Release date: 12 Sep 2025
Companion titles – Other romantic piano pieces 8.574628 | 8.574509 | 8.574165 | 8.574427
Click to listen to Piano Sonata No. 6 in D minor, Op. 114: V. Finale: Allegro con fuoco, ma espressivo
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INCLUDES WORLD PREMIERE RECORDINGS
Pierre BOULEZ (1925–2016) Piano Works Thème et variations pour la main gauche Trois Psalmodies • Incises • Fragment d’une ébauche Ralph van Raat, Piano
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Pierre Boulez’s early ambitions to become a concert pianist provided the impetus to write piano music as a composition student at the Paris Conservatoire. The Thème et variations pour la main gauche and Trois Psalmodies reveal his extraordinary talent in their compelling mix of energy, drama and playfulness. Presenting these works alongside two later compositions provides a unique glimpse into the full arc of Boulez’s musical journey. These pieces are powerful, their emotions raw and unfiltered, offering listeners a chance to experience the early foundations and mature reflections of a master composer. Key features: Acclaimed pianist and Boulez specialist Ralph van Raat brings us yet another recording from Amsterdam’s fine Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ concert hall. This follows on from van Raat’s album French Piano Rarities (8.573894), considered ‘a trove of little-known gems’ by The New York Times , which contained an exclusive recording of Boulez’s hitherto unknown student work Prélude, Toccata et Scherzo
8.574398 Release date: 26 Sep 2025
Companion titles – Ralph van Raat, Piano 8.570621 | 8.573894 | 8.572473 | 8.559285
Click to listen to Thème et variations pour la main gauche: Variation 7: Très égal et assez lent – Dans un grand crescendo
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INCLUDES WORLD PREMIERE RECORDINGS
Reginald SMITH BRINDLE (1917–2003) Complete Works for Solo Guitar, Vol. 2 Sonatas, Songs and Dances Duilio Meucci, Guitar
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Reginald Smith Brindle pursued a distinguished academic career with numerous scholarly publications, but as a composer it was the impact of Italy and his studies with Pizzetti and Dallapiccola that coloured much of his music. Works such as Vita Senese (‘Siena Life’) and the Sonatina Fiorentina express the cultural and architectural magnificence of these great Italian cities. The later guitar sonatas expand into ever deeper emotions and moods as Smith Brindle explores the entire range of the guitar to stunning effect. Key features: This release follows on from a first volume (Naxos 8.574476) that represented a Naxos debut both for composer Reginald Smith Brindle and guitarist Duilio Meucci , and was considered ‘a fine sampler of the music of one of the most important guitar composers of the 20th century, dramatically played by a consummate artist who is deeply dedicated to his work’ in the American Record Guide .
8.574634 Release date: 26 Sep 2025
Companion titles – Other works for guitar 8.574476 | 8.579161 | 8.551485 | 8.559948
Click to listen to Scherzo
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